Control system and control method

ABSTRACT

There is provided a control system and a control method that can improve the convenience of delivery service by reducing the number of redeliveries by using an automatic home delivery locker vehicle that goes around in a region. A control system configured to manage running of an automatic driving home delivery locker going around in a specified region by automatic driving, the control system includes: a communication unit configured to receive notification showing that the automatic driving home delivery locker has received a home delivery article; and a control unit configured to make control such that an inquiry is made to a terminal device of a consignee of the home delivery article via the communication unit in accordance with reception of the notification so as to estimate a current position of the consignee, and when the consignee is in the specified region, a new running path on which the automatic driving home delivery locker travels a vicinity of the current position of the consignee or a sending destination of the home delivery article is generated and is transmitted to the automatic driving home delivery locker via the communication unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a control system and a control method.

BACKGROUND ART

These days, the number of delivery articles is increasing year by yeardue to the spread of the Internet shopping, etc., but the cost ofredelivery when the consignee is absent has been a problem. In amultiple dwelling house equipped with delivery boxes, sending to thedelivery boxes is possible; however, in a case where a delivery box isnot installed, particularly in a private house or the like, it has beennecessary to redeliver again in a case where the consignee is absentupon a redelivery.

Here, for delivery automation technology, for example, Patent Document 1below discloses a technology in which, in self-guided vehicle homedelivery service, the positions of consignees are specified from thepositions of mobiles that correspond to information of access to aplurality of delivery boxes provided on a loading platform of a truck,and the destination is updated automatically.

Further, Patent Document 2 below discloses a technology in which, inautomatic home delivery service, the destination is updatedautomatically from the position of a mobile of a consignee.

Further, Patent Document 3 below discloses a technology in which, in asmall-sized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that performs automatic homedelivery, the destination is updated in accordance with the currentposition of a user.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 9,256,852-   Patent Document 2: US Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014/0330456-   Patent Document 3: US Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015/0120094

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, all the technologies are technology in which delivery isstarted after the current position of a consignee is set as thedestination, and a system using an automatic home delivery locker thatgoes around in a region has not been studied.

Thus, the present disclosure proposes a control system and a controlmethod that can improve the convenience of delivery service by reducingthe number of redeliveries by using an automatic home delivery lockervehicle that goes around in a region.

Solutions to Problems

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a control systemconfigured to manage running of an automatic driving home deliverylocker going around in a specified region by automatic driving, thecontrol system including: a communication unit configured to receive anotification showing that the automatic driving home delivery locker hasreceived a home delivery article; and a control unit configured to makecontrol such that an inquiry is made to a terminal device of a consigneeof the home delivery article via the communication unit in accordancewith reception of the notification so as to estimate a current positionof the consignee, and when the consignee is in the specified region, anew running path on which the automatic driving home delivery lockertravels a vicinity of the current position of the consignee or a sendingdestination of the home delivery article is generated and is transmittedto the automatic driving home delivery locker via the communicationunit.

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a control methodthat manages running of an automatic driving home delivery locker goingaround in a specified region by automatic driving, the control methodincluding: receiving, by a processor via a communication unit, anotification showing that the automatic driving home delivery locker hasreceived a home delivery article, and making control, by the processor,such that an inquiry is made to a terminal device of a consignee of thehome delivery article via the communication unit in accordance withreception of the notification so as to estimate a current position ofthe consignee, and when the consignee is in the specified region, a newrunning path on which the automatic driving home delivery locker travelsa vicinity of the current position of the consignee or a sendingdestination of the home delivery article is generated and is transmittedto the automatic driving home delivery locker via the communicationunit.

Effects of the Invention

As described above, according to the present disclosure, the convenienceof delivery service can be improved by reducing the number ofredeliveries by using an automatic home delivery locker that goes aroundin a region.

Note that the effects described above are not necessarily limitative.With or in the place of the above effects, there may be achieved any oneof the effects described in this specification or other effects that maybe grasped from this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram describing an overview of an information processingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration of aninformation processing system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of ahome delivery agent terminal according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of aserver according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of ahome delivery locker vehicle according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of aconsignee terminal according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram describing automatic going-around of a home deliverylocker vehicle according to a first practical example.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing route alteration processing of thehome delivery locker vehicle when a home delivery agent has come closeto a specified region, according to the first practical example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a meeting point for the homedelivery locker vehicle and a home delivery agent vehicle, according tothe first practical example.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing operation processing at the timeof arrival at the meeting point, according to the first practicalexample.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing route calculation processing ofthe home delivery locker vehicle according to the current position of aconsignee, according to the first practical example.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a route passing through thevicinity of the current position of the consignee, according to thefirst practical example.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing operation processing when the homedelivery locker vehicle has approached the consignee, according to thefirst practical example.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing operation processing when stoppingthe home delivery locker vehicle, according to the first practicalexample.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing operation processing of routecalculation according to the positions of a plurality of consignees,according to a second practical example.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of route calculation in a casewhere user A is present in a specified region S, according to the secondpractical example.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of route calculation in a casewhere user A and user B are present in the specified region S, accordingto the second practical example.

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing operation processing of easyreceipt service according to a third practical example.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing operation processing of routecalculation of easy receipt service according to the third practicalexample.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, (a) preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Notethat, in this specification and the appended drawings, components thathave substantially the same functional configuration are denoted withthe same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of thesestructural elements is omitted.

Further, the description is given in the following order.

1. Overview of information processing system according to embodiment ofpresent disclosure 2. Configurations

2-1. Configuration of home delivery agent terminal 1

2-2. Configuration of server 2

2-3. Configuration of home delivery locker vehicle 3

2-4. Configuration of consignee terminal 4

3. Practical examples

3-1. First practical example

(3-1-1. Transfer of home delivery article to home delivery lockervehicle)

(3-1-2. Receipt of home delivery article from home delivery lockervehicle)

3-2. Second practical example

3-3. Third practical example

4. Modification examples

5. Conclusions

1. OVERVIEW OF INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM ACCORDING TO EMBODIMENT OFPRESENT DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1 is a diagram describing an overview of an information processingsystem according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1, in the information processing system according to the presentembodiment, a home delivery locker vehicle 3 that goes around in aregion by automatic driving can take a package (a home delivery article)addressed to a user from a home delivery agent or the like, and candeliver the package to the home of the user.

Specifically, if the home delivery locker vehicle 3 takes a packageaddressed to a user from a home delivery agent, the home delivery lockervehicle 3 goes around in a region on a route that passes through thecurrent place of the user or the vicinity of the home. The user can stopthe home delivery locker vehicle 3 traveling the surroundings at anarbitrary timing, for example at a timing when the user has returned tothe home or the like, and can receive the package.

Thereby, a home delivery agent has only to load a package into the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 that goes around by automatic driving in aregion where the consignee (the user) lives, and can load also a packageaddressed to a user of a private house or the like not having a deliverybox; thus, the cost of redelivery is reduced.

Further, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 usually goes around in aregion on a steady route set in advance; in a case where a consignee ispresent in the region, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 may go aroundon a route passing through the current place of the consignee or thesurroundings of the home. The consignee can receive a package at anarbitrary timing from the home delivery locker vehicle 3 going around,and is not restricted by receipt time.

Thus, in the present embodiment, according to the present disclosure,the convenience of delivery service can be improved by reducing thenumber of redeliveries by using an automatic home delivery locker thatgoes around in a region.

Next, an overall configuration of such an information processing systemaccording to the present embodiment is described with reference to FIG.2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an overall configuration ofan information processing system according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, an information processing system according to thepresent embodiment includes a home delivery agent terminal 1, a server2, the home delivery locker vehicle 3, and a consignee terminal 4.

The home delivery agent terminal 1, which is a communication terminalcarried by a home delivery agent, receives, from the server 2,information regarding the current position of the home delivery lockervehicle 3 or a meeting point for the home delivery locker vehicle 3, andnotifies that the home delivery agent has loaded a package into the homedelivery locker vehicle 3. For example, the home delivery agent terminal1 may include a smartphone, a mobile phone terminal, a tablet terminal,a PC, a wearable device (for example, a smartwatch, a smart band, asmart eyeglass, an HMD, a smart neck terminal, a smart ear cuff, or asmart earphone), or the like.

The server 2 can transmit and receive data with each of the homedelivery agent terminal 1, the home delivery locker vehicle 3, and theconsignee terminal 4. For example, the server 2 settles, from thecurrent position of the home delivery agent terminal 1 and the currentposition of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, a meeting point where apackage is to be received, and settles, from the current position of thehome delivery locker vehicle 3 and the current position of the consigneeterminal 4, a going-around route of the home delivery locker vehicle 3.Further, the server 2 may transmit, to the consignee terminal 4, thefact that a package addressed to the user is kept in the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 and the position of the home delivery locker vehicle 3.

The home delivery locker vehicle 3 is a self-guided vehicle that goesaround in a specified region by automatic driving. Further, the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 is mounted with a large number of deliveryboxes, and allows packages to be received and handed over without usinghuman hands. Further, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 may go aroundon, for example, a route of approximately 10 Km per round at a speed ofapproximately 10 Km per hour so as to travel at a slow speed at which itis easy for a consignee or a home delivery agent to automatically stopthe home delivery locker vehicle 3 upon happening to see it.

Further, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 according to the presentembodiment is not limited to delivery uses, and may be one having alsoother functions, such as an automatic selling vehicle. For example, likea movable convenience store in an underpopulated area, an automaticselling vehicle carrying a large number of purchasable commodities maybe mounted with home delivery lockers, and may be made to go around byautomatic driving.

The consignee terminal 4 is a communication terminal carried by a userand receives, from the server 2, a notification regarding delivery of apackage. For example, the consignee terminal 4 receives, from the server2, the current place of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 that keeps apackage addressed to the user and information that the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 is in the neighborhood, and notifies the user of thesepieces of information. For example, the consignee terminal 4 may includea smartphone, a mobile phone terminal, a tablet terminal, a PC, awearable device (for example, a smartwatch, a smart band, a smarteyeglass, an HMD, a smart neck terminal, a smart ear cuff, or a smartearphone), or the like.

Hereinabove, an information processing system according to an embodimentof the present disclosure is described. Next, specific configurations ofdevices included in the information processing system according to thepresent embodiment are described with reference to the drawings.

2. CONFIGURATION 2-1. Configuration of Home Delivery Agent Terminal 1

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of thehome delivery agent terminal 1 according to the present embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 3, the home delivery agent terminal 1 includes a controlunit 10, a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, a positionmeasurement unit 13, a display unit 14, and a storage unit 15.

The control unit 10 functions as an arithmetic processing device and acontrol device, and controls the entire operation in the home deliveryagent terminal 1 in conformity with various programs. The control unit10 includes, for example, an electronic circuit such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor. Further, the control unit 10may include a read-only memory (ROM) that stores programs, operatingparameters, etc., to be used and a random access memory (RAM) thattemporarily stores parameters etc., changing as appropriate.

Further, the control unit 10 according to the present embodiment makescontrol such that the current place measured by the position measurementunit 13 is transmitted to the server 2 via the communication unit 11 andinformation inputted by the home delivery agent from the input unit 12is transmitted to the server 2 via the communication unit 11. Further,the control unit 10 makes control such that information regarding thecurrent position of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 and a meetingpoint (a meeting place) for the home delivery locker vehicle 3 receivedfrom the server 2 via the communication unit 11 is presented from thedisplay unit 14 together with, for example, a map image.

(Communication Unit 11)

The communication unit 11, for example, transmits and receives datato/from the server 2 via a network. The communication unit 11 cancommunicate and connect with the server 2 by means of, for example, awired/wireless local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), amobile communication network (Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Bluetooth(registered trademark), or a third-generation mobile communicationsystem (3G)), or the like.

(Input Unit 12)

The input unit 12 accepts an action instruction by the user (herein, thehome delivery agent), and functions as an action input unit that outputsan action content to the control unit 10. The input unit 12 may be atouch sensor, a pressure sensor, or a proximity sensor. Alternatively,the input unit 12 may be a physical configuration such as buttons,switches, or levers. Note that the input unit 12 may include a voiceinput unit to allow voice input by the user.

(Position Measurement Unit 13)

The position measurement unit 13 has the function of sensing the currentposition of the home delivery agent terminal 1 on the basis of a signalacquired from the outside. Specifically, for example, the positionmeasurement unit 13 includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) positionmeasurement unit; and receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite tosense the position where the home delivery agent terminal 1 exists, andoutputs the sensed position information to the control unit 10. Further,the position measurement unit 13 may be a device that senses theposition, for example, other than using the GPS, via Wi-Fi (registeredtrademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), transmission andreception to/from a mobile phone, the PHS, a smartphone, or the like, orby short-range communication or the like.

(Display Unit 14)

The display unit 14 is a display device that outputs various displayscreens such as an action input screen and a menu screen. The displayunit 14 may be, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. Thedisplay unit 14 displays, on a map image, an image showing the currentplace of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 or a meeting point for thehome delivery locker vehicle, for example. Note that, although thepresent embodiment includes the display unit 14 as an example of anoutput unit, the present embodiment is not limited to suchconfiguration. Various notifications may be outputted to the homedelivery agent by a voice output unit (not illustrated) included in thehome delivery agent terminal 1, by itself or together with the displayunit.

(Storage Unit 15)

The storage unit 15 includes a read-only memory (ROM) that storesprograms, operating parameters, etc., used for the processing of thecontrol unit 10 and a random access memory (RAM) that temporarily storesparameters etc., changing as appropriate.

2-2. Configuration of Server 2

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of theserver 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, theserver 2 includes a control unit 20, a communication unit 21, and astorage unit 22.

(Control Unit 20)

The control unit 20 functions as an arithmetic processing device and acontrol device, and controls the entire operation in the server 2 inconformity with various programs. The control unit 20 includes, forexample, an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU)or a microprocessor. Further, the control unit 20 may include aread-only memory (ROM) that stores programs, operating parameters, etc.,to be used and a random access memory (RAM) that temporarily storesparameters etc., changing as appropriate.

Further, the control unit 20 according to the present embodimentfunctions also as a running control unit 201, a package management unit202, and a position information management unit 203.

The running control unit 201 makes control regarding the automaticdriving of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, such as the settlement ofa route of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 that goes around in aprescribed area by automatic driving. For example, the running controlunit 201 assesses whether the current place of the consignee of apackage (a home delivery article) loaded in the home delivery lockervehicle 3 is in a specified region (that is, in the going-around area ofthe home delivery locker vehicle 3) or not. In a case where the currentplace of the consignee is in the specified region, the running controlunit 201 makes control such that a going-around route on which the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 travels the current place of the consignee orthe vicinity of a prescribed sending destination (the home of theconsignee, or a ski site etc., in the area) is generated and istransmitted to the home delivery locker vehicle 3.

The package management unit 202 manages information regarding a packageloaded in the home delivery locker vehicle 3, by using a package receiptlist stored in a package receipt list storage unit 221. The informationof a package loaded in the home delivery locker vehicle 3 can bereceived from the home delivery agent terminal 1.

The position information management unit 203 collects the currentposition of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, the current position ofthe home delivery agent terminal 1, the current position of theconsignee terminal 4, etc., and manages them by using a positioninformation storage unit 222.

(Communication Unit 21)

The communication unit 21 connects with a network via wire orwirelessly, and transmits and receives data with external devices,specifically the home delivery agent terminal 1, the home deliverylocker vehicle 3, the consignee terminal 4, etc., via the network. Thecommunication unit 21 communicates and connects with a network by meansof, for example, a wired/wireless local area network (LAN), WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi, registered trademark), or the like.

(Storage Unit 22)

The storage unit 22 includes a ROM that stores programs, operatingparameters, etc., used for the processing of the control unit 20 and aRAM that temporarily stores parameters etc., changing as appropriate.For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 22 according to thepresent embodiment houses the package receipt list storage unit 221, theposition information storage unit 222, and a user information storageunit 223.

The package receipt list storage unit 221 stores information regardingpackages (home delivery articles) loaded in each home delivery lockervehicle 3 (consignee information, sending destination addresses, homedelivery agent information, the time instants of loading, whetherpackages have been received by consignees or not, etc.). Suchinformation can be transmitted to the server 2 by, for example, a homedelivery agent's inputting on the home delivery agent terminal 1 whenloading a package into the home delivery locker vehicle 3.

The position information storage unit 222 stores the current position ofeach home delivery locker vehicle 3, the current position of the homedelivery agent terminal 1, the current position of the consigneeterminal 4, etc. These pieces of position information are transmittedfrom the home delivery locker vehicle 3, the home delivery agentterminal 1, and the consignee terminal 4, respectively.

The user information storage unit 223 stores information regarding auser. For example, the user information storage unit 223 storesinformation of a use-registered user who demands home delivery using thehome delivery locker vehicle 3 according to the present embodiment (forexample, the full name and the home address), etc.

Hereinabove, the configuration of the server 2 according to the presentembodiment is specifically described. Note that the configuration of theserver 2 shown in FIG. 4 is an example, and the present embodiment isnot limited to this. For example, the configuration of at least part ofthe server 2 may be provided in an external device, and at least part ofeach function of the control unit 20 may be provided by an informationprocessing terminal (for example, what is called an edge server or thelike) of which the communication distance is relatively near to the homedelivery agent terminal 1, the home delivery locker vehicle 3, or theconsignee terminal 4. Thus, by distributing configurations of the server2 as appropriate, it becomes possible to improve real timecharacteristics and reduce the burden of processing, and further ensuresecurity. Further, servers 2 may individually manage one or a pluralityof specified regions (areas where home delivery locker vehicles 3 goaround).

2-3. Configuration of Home Delivery Locker Vehicle 3

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of thehome delivery locker vehicle 3 according to the present embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 5, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 includes a controlunit 30, a communication unit 31, a position measurement unit 32,in-vehicle sensors 33, locker sensors 34, a driving unit 35, and astorage unit 36.

The control unit 30 functions as an arithmetic processing device and acontrol device, and controls the entire operation in the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 in conformity with various programs. The control unit30 includes, for example, an electronic circuit such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor. Further, the control unit 30may include a read-only memory (ROM) that stores programs, operatingparameters, etc., to be used and a random access memory (RAM) thattemporarily stores parameters etc., changing as appropriate.

The control unit 30 according to the present embodiment makes controlsuch that the current place measured by the position measurement unit 32is transmitted to the server 2 via the communication unit 31, and makescontrol such that automatic travel is performed in conformity with agoing-around route received from the server 2. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 5, the control unit 30 can function as an automatic driving controlunit 301 and a locker management unit 302.

The automatic driving control unit 301 performs automatic travel controlof the home delivery locker vehicle 3 in conformity with a prescribedroute. The automatic driving control unit 301 may control travel on aroad for self-guided vehicles, or may control travel on an ordinaryroad. For example, the automatic driving control unit 301 controlsdriving of an accelerator, a brake, and a steering wheel by means of thedriving unit 35 on the basis of the surrounding situation sensed by thein-vehicle sensors 33 so that the vehicle goes around in a prescribedroute in conformity with running control by the server 2.

The locker management unit 302 manages the state of a large number ofhome delivery lockers mounted on the home delivery locker vehicle 3.Specifically, for example, the locker management unit 302 stores, in alocker state storage unit 361, the presence or absence of a package ineach locker, the sending destination of a package in each locker, theconsignee, the loader (the home delivery agent or the like), the timeinstant of loading, the presence of absence of receipt, etc., andmanages them. The structure of a large number of home delivery lockersmounted on the home delivery locker vehicle 3 is not particularlylimited and is; for example, an opening and closing type, in which alocker is locked when a package is in the locker and can be unlocked byreceiving a prescribed personal identification number or a specified ID,or the like.

(Communication Unit 31)

The communication unit 31, for example, transmits and receives datato/from the server 2 via a network. The communication unit 31 cancommunicate and connect with the server 2 by means of, for example, awired/wireless local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), amobile communication network (Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Bluetooth(registered trademark), or a third-generation mobile communicationsystem (3G)), or the like.

(Position Measurement Unit 32)

The position measurement unit 32 has the function of sensing the currentposition of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 on the basis of a signalacquired from the outside. Specifically, for example, the positionmeasurement unit 32 includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) positionmeasurement unit; and receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite tosense the position where the home delivery locker vehicle 3 exists, andoutputs the sensed position information to the control unit 30. Further,the position measurement unit 32 may be a device that senses theposition, for example, other than using the GPS, via Wi-Fi (registeredtrademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), transmission andreception to/from a mobile phone, the PHS, a smartphone, or the like, orshort-range communication or the like.

(In-Vehicle Sensors 33)

The in-vehicle sensors 33 are various sensor devices that sense thestate of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 and the situation of thesurroundings of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, and are used forautomatic travel control by the automatic driving control unit 301.Examples of the in-vehicle sensor 33 include a camera device, a radar,an ultrasonic sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyrosensor, and the like. Further, the in-vehicle sensors 33 may include asensing unit that senses markers provided on a road for self-guidedvehicles.

(Locker Sensors 34)

The locker sensors 34 are various sensor devices that sense the state ofeach locker mounted on the home delivery locker vehicle 3. For example,the locker sensors 34 can sense the lock state, opening and closingsensing, the status of use (the presence or absence of a package), etc.,of each locker.

(Driving Unit 35)

The driving unit 35 includes various driving units regarding the travelof the home delivery locker vehicle 3, such as a steering wheel drivingunit, an accelerator driving unit, and a brake driving unit.

(Storage Unit 36)

The storage unit 36 includes a read-only memory (ROM) that storesprograms, operating parameters, etc., used for the processing of thecontrol unit 30 and a random access memory (RAM) that temporarily storesparameters etc., changing as appropriate.

Further, the storage unit 36 includes the locker state storage unit 361as shown in FIG. 5. In the locker state storage unit 361, information ofthe locker state sensed by the locker sensors 34, information of aloaded package received from the home delivery agent terminal 1 via thecommunication unit 31, etc., are stored by the locker management unit302.

Hereinabove, the configuration of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 isspecifically described; however, the configuration of the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 according to the present embodiment is not limited tothe example shown in FIG. 5. For example, the home delivery lockervehicle 3 may include an action input unit or a voice input unit as aninput unit, and further a display unit or a voice output unit as anoutput unit.

2-4. Configuration of Consignee Terminal 4

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of theconsignee terminal 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 6, the consignee terminal 4 includes a control unit 40, acommunication unit 41, an input unit 42, a position measurement unit 43,a display unit 44, and a storage unit 45.

The control unit 40 functions as an arithmetic processing device and acontrol device, and controls the entire operation in the consigneeterminal 4 in conformity with various programs. The control unit 40includes, for example, an electronic circuit such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor. Further, the control unit 40may include a read-only memory (ROM) that stores programs, operatingparameters, etc., to be used and a random access memory (RAM) thattemporarily stores parameters etc., changing as appropriate.

Further, the control unit 40 according to the present embodiment makescontrol such that the current place measured by the position measurementunit 43 is transmitted to the server 2 via the communication unit 41 orinformation inputted by the consignee (the user) from the input unit 42is transmitted to the server 2 via the communication unit 41. Further,the control unit 40 makes control such that the user is notified of thecurrent position of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, the time instantof arrival of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, etc., received fromthe server 2 via the communication unit 41, from the display unit 44.

(Communication Unit 41)

The communication unit 41, for example, transmits and receives datato/from the server 2 via a network. The communication unit 41 cancommunicate and connect with the server 2 by means of, for example, awired/wireless local area network (LAN), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), amobile communication network (Long-Term Evolution (LTE), Bluetooth(registered trademark), or a third-generation mobile communicationsystem (3G)), or the like.

(Input Unit 42)

The input unit 42 accepts an action instruction by the user (herein, theconsignee), and functions as an action input unit that outputs an actioncontent to the control unit 40. The input unit 42 may be a touch sensor,a pressure sensor, or a proximity sensor. Alternatively, the input unit42 may be a physical configuration such as buttons, switches, or levers.Note that the input unit 42 may include a voice input unit to allowvoice input by the user.

(Position Measurement Unit 43)

The position measurement unit 43 has the function of sensing the currentposition of the consignee terminal 4 on the basis of a signal acquiredfrom the outside. Specifically, for example, the position measurementunit 43 includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) position measurementunit; and receives a radio wave from a GPS satellite to sense theposition where the consignee terminal 4 exists, and outputs the sensedposition information to the control unit 40. Further, the positionmeasurement unit 43 may be a device that senses the position, forexample, other than using the GPS, via Wi-Fi (registered trademark) orBluetooth (registered trademark), transmission and reception to/from amobile phone, the PHS, a smartphone, or the like, or by short-rangecommunication or the like.

(Display Unit 44)

The display unit 44 is a display device that outputs various displayscreens such as an action input screen and a menu screen. The displayunit 44 may be, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display. Thedisplay unit 44 displays, on a map image, an image showing the currentplace of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, for example. Note that,although the present embodiment includes the display unit 44 as anexample of an output unit, the present embodiment is not limited to suchconfiguration. Various notifications may be outputted to the consigneeby a voice output unit (not illustrated) included in the consigneeterminal 4, by itself or together with the display unit 44.

(Storage Unit 45)

The storage unit 45 includes a read-only memory (ROM) that storesprograms, operating parameters, etc., used for the processing of thecontrol unit 40 and a random access memory (RAM) that temporarily storesparameters etc., changing as appropriate.

3. PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

Next, practical examples of the information processing system accordingto the present embodiment are specifically described using the drawings.

3-1. First Practical Example

First, a first practical example is described with reference to FIG. 7to FIG. 14. In the first practical example, if a home delivery articleis loaded by a home delivery agent into the home delivery locker vehicle3 that automatically goes around in a region where the consignee lives,the server 2 alters the going-around route of the home delivery lockervehicle 3 in accordance with the current position of the consignee.

FIG. 7 is a diagram describing automatic going-around of a home deliverylocker vehicle according to the present practical example. As shown inFIG. 7, in the present practical example, it is assumed that the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 exclusively for a specified region S is goingaround in the region by automatic driving. The going-around route isordinarily set to a prescribed steady route R1. The steady route R1 isset to, for example, a road that allows easy arrival at anywhere in theregion as much as possible by some degree of alteration.

3-1-1. Transfer of Home Delivery Article to Home Delivery Locker Vehicle

Next, processing when transferring a home delivery article from a homedelivery agent to the home delivery locker vehicle is described withreference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10. A home delivery agent can use a truck orthe like to go to a specified region where user A who is the consigneeof a home delivery article lives, and can load the home delivery articleinto the home delivery locker vehicle 3 that automatically goes aroundin the specified region.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing route alteration processing of thehome delivery locker vehicle when the home delivery agent has come closeto the specified region.

As shown in FIG. 8, first, the home delivery agent terminal 1 carried bythe home delivery agent measures the current position by means of theposition measurement unit 13 (step S103), and transmits the measuredcurrent position information to the server 2 (step S106). The positioninformation may be transmitted in conformity with an instruction by thehome delivery agent, or may transmitted automatically by the homedelivery agent terminal 1 determining that the home delivery agent hascome close to the region of the next home delivery.

Next, the server 2 makes an inquiry about the current position to thehome delivery locker vehicle 3 in the prescribed specified region S thatis a home delivery place (step S109), and receives, from the homedelivery locker vehicle 3, current position information measured by thehome delivery locker vehicle 3 (steps S112 and S115).

Next, on the basis of the position of the home delivery agent and theposition of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, the server 2 settles ameeting point P for both in the specified region S (step S118). Themeeting point P is a place where the home delivery locker vehicle 3 andthe truck of the home delivery agent can safely stop, and may, forexample, be selected from candidates for safe meeting points that areset in advance on the basis of the current position and the speed of thehome delivery agent, and the current position and the speed of the homedelivery locker vehicle 3.

Next, the server 2 transmits information of the settled meeting point Pto the home delivery agent terminal 1 (step S121). The receivedinformation of the meeting point P (for example, a map image showing themeeting point P) is displayed on the home delivery agent terminal 1(step S122). Alternatively, the home delivery agent terminal 1 may startnavigation to the meeting point P.

Next, on the basis of the current position of the home delivery lockervehicle 3, the server 2 calculates a route leading to the meeting pointP (step S124).

Next, on the basis of the calculated route, the server 2 sends a rerouteinstruction to the home delivery locker vehicle 3 (step S127). Thereby,the home delivery locker vehicle 3 performs automatic travel control soas to go to the meeting point P in conformity with the altered route.Note that, depending on the position of the meeting point P and theposition of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, there may be a casewhere the route to the meeting point P is the same as the steady route.

Here, FIG. 9 shows an example of the meeting point for the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 and a home delivery agent vehicle 5 according to thepresent practical example. As shown in FIG. 9, if the meeting point P issettled in the specified region S, the home delivery locker vehicle 3and the home delivery agent vehicle 5 go toward the meeting point P.

Further, the meeting point P may be selected by the home delivery agent.For example, the server 2 may transmit, to the home delivery agentterminal 1, information of a plurality of candidates for meeting pointsin the specified region S so that the home delivery agent can select thepoint shortest from the current position of the home delivery agent.

Next, operation processing at the time of arrival at the meeting pointis described with reference to FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, if theserver 2 acquires the current position of the home delivery lockervehicle 3 (steps S103 to S136), the server 2 notifies the home deliveryagent terminal 1 of the current position of the home delivery lockervehicle 3 (step S139). The current position of the home delivery lockervehicle 3 may be notified continuously.

Next, if the home delivery agent terminal 1 arrives at the meeting point(step S142), the home delivery agent terminal 1 transmits an arrivalnotification to the server 2 (step S145).

On the other hand, if the home delivery locker vehicle 3 arrives at themeeting point (step S148), the home delivery locker vehicle 3 alsotransmits an arrival notification to the server 2 (step S151).

The home delivery locker vehicle 3 and the home delivery agent vehicle 5stop no matter which vehicle arrives at the meeting point earlier, andthe home delivery article is delivered at the meeting point.Specifically, for example, a prescribed action, such as an action inwhich the home delivery agent loads the home delivery article into anempty locker among the home delivery lockers mounted on the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 and locks the locker, is taken.

3-1-2. Receipt of Home Delivery Article from Home Delivery LockerVehicle

Next, the receipt of the home delivery article by the consignee from thehome delivery locker vehicle 3 is described with reference to FIG. 11 toFIG. 14.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing route calculation processing ofthe home delivery locker vehicle according to the current position ofthe consignee. As shown in FIG. 11, if the home delivery locker vehicle3 receives the home delivery article (that is, if the home deliveryarticle is loaded into a locker) (step S163), the home delivery lockervehicle 3 sends a package receipt notification (for example, a packageaddressed to whom is loaded into a locker of what number, or the like)to the server 2 (step S166).

Next, on the basis of the package receipt notification from the homedelivery locker vehicle 3, the server 2 adds information regarding thehome delivery article loaded in the home delivery locker vehicle 3 tothe package receipt list (step S169). Note that the package receiptnotification may include, for example, detailed information regardingthe home delivery article (for example, the classification, item,consignee information, sender information, home delivery agentinformation, order number, etc., of the home delivery article) that wasinputted by an action of the home delivery agent when loading the homedelivery article (or inputted via the home delivery agent terminal 1).

Next, the server 2 acquires the current position of the consigneeterminal 4 in order to estimate the position of the consignee of thehome delivery article loaded in the home delivery locker vehicle 3(steps S172 to S178). The linkage between the consignee and theconsignee terminal 4 may be acquired from user information registered inthe server 2 in advance. Further, terminal information of users livingin the specified region may be registered in advance in the server 2.The consignee terminal 4 is envisaged to be a smartphone, a mobile phoneterminal, a tablet terminal, various wearable devices, or the likecarried by the consignee (the user); in the present practical example,the current position of the consignee terminal 4 may be regarded as thecurrent position of the consignee.

Next, in a case where the consignee is present in the specified region(step S181/Yes), the server 2 calculates a route passing through thevicinity of the current position of the consignee (step S184), andtransmits a reroute instruction to the home delivery locker vehicle 3(step S187).

Next, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 makes control so as to travelthe altered route, in conformity with the reroute instruction (stepS188). Here, FIG. 12 shows an example of a route R3 passing through thevicinity of the current position of the consignee. As shown in FIG. 12,for example, in a case where user A is present in the specified regionS, the going-around route of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 is setto route R3. Note that, although the current position of user A is thehome (user A's home 6) in FIG. 12, a route passing through thesurroundings of user A can be calculated wherever user A is present inthe specified region S.

Further, the server 2 may notify the consignee terminal 4 of the alteredroute of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 (step S190). The consigneeterminal 4 can display the route of the home delivery locker vehicle 3and the current position of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 topresent them to the consignee (step S191).

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing operation processing when the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 has approached the consignee. As shown in FIG.13, first, the server 2 intermittently performs the acquisition ofcurrent position information of the consignee terminal 4 (steps S203 toS209) and the acquisition of current position information of the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 (steps S212 to S218).

Next, on the basis of the current position of the consignee terminal 4and the current position of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, theserver 2 assesses whether the home delivery locker vehicle 3 hasapproached the consignee or not (step S221). The approach distance isnot particularly limited, and may be, for example, a distance thatallows arrival at the current position of the consignee in approximately5 minutes, or the like.

Next, in a case where the server 2 has assessed that the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 has approached the consignee, the server 2 sends anapproach notification to the consignee (step S224).

Next, the consignee terminal 4 presents the approach notification to theuser (step S227). Specifically, for example, the consignee terminal 4outputs the fact that the home delivery locker vehicle 3 in which thehome delivery article addressed to the user is loaded is coming close,by voice or display together with an alarm or vibration. In the approachnotification, information regarding the home delivery article (thesender, classification, item, time instant of loading, etc., of the homedelivery article) may be displayed as well. In a case where the userreceives the home delivery article, the user can stop the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 and receive the home delivery article, as describednext. On the other hand, in a case where the user does not want toreceive the home delivery article at the present moment, the user maynot stop the home delivery locker vehicle 3 but keep it as it is. Sincethe home delivery locker vehicle 3 is going around on the reroutedroute, an approach notification is transmitted from the server 2 againwhen the home delivery locker vehicle 3 approaches the user again nexttime. Thereby, the user can receive at an arbitrary timing, and receipttime is not restrained.

Note that the route passing through the surroundings of the user who isthe consignee may be rerouted again under prescribed conditions. Forexample, in a case where going-around is performed a prescribed numberof times or in a case where going-around is performed for a prescribedtime, the server 2 may cause the route to return to the steady route ormay acquire position information of the consignee again and performroute calculation on the basis of the newest position information.Further, the server 2 may notify the consignee terminal 4 that the routehas returned to the steady route. Further, using the consignee terminal4, the user may request the server 2 to perform rerouting again to aroute according to the position of the user.

Next, operation processing when the consignee stops the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 is described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is asequence diagram showing operation processing when stopping the homedelivery locker vehicle 3.

As shown in FIG. 14, first, the consignee terminal 4 transmits a stopinstruction to the server 2 in accordance with a user action (stepS230).

Next, the server 2 acquires current position information of theconsignee terminal 4 (steps S233 to S239).

Next, the server 2 acquires current position information of the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 (steps S242 to S248).

Next, on the basis of the current position of the consignee terminal 4and the current position of the home delivery locker vehicle 3, theserver 2 assesses whether the home delivery locker vehicle 3 has reachedclosest approach the consignee or not (step S251). The closest approachmay be set using distance, or may be set to the nearest place thatallows a safe stop around the current position of the user.

Next, in a case where the home delivery locker vehicle 3 has madeclosest approach to the consignee, the server 2 transmits a stopinstruction to the home delivery locker vehicle 3 (step S254).

Next, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 stops at a safe place inaccordance with the stop instruction from the server 2 (step S257).

Next, if the home delivery locker vehicle 3 senses the receipt of thehome delivery article by the consignee (step S260), the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 sends a receipt notification to the server 2 (stepS263). For the receipt of the home delivery article, for example, thefact that the locker has been normally unlocked, the fact that the homedelivery article has been normally taken out of the interior of thelocker, or the like may be sensed by the locker sensor 34. The consigneecan normally unlock, from among the lockers mounted on the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 that has been stopped, the locker in which the homedelivery article addressed to the consignee is loaded, by inputting aprescribed personal identification number or an ID (for example,inserting a prescribed user ID card or transmitting the ID number fromthe consignee terminal 4), or the like.

Then, if the server 2 receives, from the home delivery locker vehicle 3,the receipt notification showing that the consignee has received thehome delivery article, the server 2 newly calculates the route of thehome delivery locker vehicle 3 (step S266) and sends a rerouteinstruction to the home delivery locker vehicle 3 (step S269).Specifically, for example, the server 2 calculates a route returning tothe steady route.

3-2. Second Practical Example

Next, a second practical example is specifically described withreference to FIG. 15 to FIG. 17. In the present practical example, in acase where home delivery articles addressed to a plurality of consigneesare loaded, current position information of each consignee is acquired.Then, while a going-around route passing through the surroundings of thecurrent positions of consignees present in a specified region isaltered, the current positions of other consignees not present in thespecified region are also monitored. Then, in a case where any of theother consignees has returned into the specified region, thegoing-around route is altered again taking account of also the currentposition of the consignee who has returned.

Such operation processing according to the second practical example isshown in FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing operationprocessing of route calculation according to the positions of aplurality of consignees, according to the present practical example.

As shown in FIG. 15, if the home delivery locker vehicle 3 takes homedelivery articles addressed to a plurality of consignees (step S303),the home delivery locker vehicle 3 sends a multiple-package receiptnotification to the server 2 (step S306).

Next, the server 2 adds package receipt information to the packagereceipt list (step S309).

Next, the server 2 acquires current position information of theplurality of consignees (steps S312 a, S312 b, S315 a, S315 b, S318 a,and S318 b).

Next, the server 2 calculates a going-around route taking account of thecurrent position of a consignee present in a specified region S (thatis, a going-around route passing through the surroundings of the currentposition of the consignee) (step S321).

Then, the server 2 transmits a reroute instruction to the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 so that automatic travel is performed in conformitywith the calculated new going-around route (step S324). The homedelivery locker vehicle 3 performs automatic travel control so as tomake a circuit on the altered going-around route, in conformity with thereroute instruction.

Further, the server 2 may notify the consignee present in the specifiedregion S described above of the route of the home delivery lockervehicle 3 (steps S327 a and S327 b).

Note that, in step S321 described above, in a case where one of theplurality of consignees is present in the specified region S, agoing-around route taking account of the position of the one consigneeis calculated and a reroute instruction conforming to the going-aroundroute (step S324) and a route notification to the one consignee (stepS327) are made. On the other hand, for a consignee present outside thespecified region S, the acquisition of position information is continued(steps S312 to S318), and a going-around route is calculated again atthe time point when the consignee has returned into the specified regionS (step S321). In a case where a plurality of consignees is present inthe specified region S at the time point when the consignee has returnedinto the specified region S, the server 2 calculates a going-aroundroute taking account of the positions of the plurality of consignees andmakes a reroute instruction conforming to the going-around route (stepS324) and a route notification to the plurality of consignees (stepS327).

Here, an example of the calculation of a going-around route according tothe current positions of a plurality of consignees is described usingFIG. 16 and FIG. 17. Herein, a case where user A and user B live in aspecified region S, and a home delivery article addressed to user A anda home delivery article addressed to user B are loaded in the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 is described.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of route calculation in a casewhere user A is present in the specified region S. As shown in FIG. 16,in a case where user A is present in, for example, user A's home 6 a inthe specified region S and on the other hand user B is absent in thespecified region S, the server 2 calculates a route R4 passing throughthe surroundings of user A's home 6 a, and controls the home deliverylocker vehicle 3.

Next, FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of route calculation in acase where user A and user B are present in the specified region S. In acase where user B has returned into the specified region S and ispresent in, for example, user B's home 6 b, the server 2 calculates aroute R5 passing through the surroundings of user A's home 6 a and userB's home 6 b, and controls the home delivery locker vehicle 3, as shownin FIG. 17.

Hereinabove, a specific example of route calculation is described.

Operation processing when the home delivery locker vehicle 3 hasapproached each user as well as the action of stopping the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 and the receipt of the home delivery article by eachuser are similar to those in the first practical example described withreference to FIG. 13 to FIG. 14.

3-3. Third Practical Example

Next, a third practical example is specifically described with referenceto FIG. 18 and FIG. 19. In the present practical example, control ismade such that, at the timing when a consignee has just returned to thehome, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 arrives in front of the home.Thereby, the consignee can receive a home delivery article at the timingof returning home. In each practical example described above, the travelof the home delivery locker vehicle 3 does not take account of thetiming of returning-home of a consignee; hence, for example, it has beennecessary that, when the home delivery locker vehicle 3 is going aroundin the vicinity of the home, the consignee go out of the house toreceive a home delivery article or stop the home delivery locker vehicle3 somewhere in the specified region for receipt. In contrast, in thepresent practical example, receipt is possible at the timing ofreturning home, and convenience is high.

Such a receipt method according to the third practical example isreferred to as “easy receipt” in the present specification. This isbecause a user can receive a home delivery article in front of the homewhen the user has returned home from the outside, and time and effort,such as going out of the interior of the house again in agreement withthe time of home delivery, can be saved and easy receipt becomespossible. In a case where the user demands “easy receipt” in advance(for example, in a case where the user requests easy receipt as anadditional service), the server 2 calculates a route on the basis ofcurrent position information of the user in such a manner that the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 arrives in front of the home when the userreturns home. In the following, a specific description is given withreference to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19.

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing operation processing of easyreceipt service according to the present practical example. Theprocessing shown in FIG. 18 shows processing after a home deliveryarticle addressed to a user is loaded into the home delivery lockervehicle 3.

As shown in FIG. 18, first, the server 2 acquires current positioninformation from the consignee terminal 4 of the consignee of the loadedhome delivery article (steps S403 to S409).

Next, the server 2 assesses whether the consignee is present within aprescribed distance from the home or not (step S412). For example, thearea of 3 km from the home is possible. Note that, although herein a“prescribed distance” is taken as an example, the present practicalexample is not limited to this, and it is also possible to assesswhether the time of movement from the current place of the consignee tothe home (the time of returning home) has come within a prescribed timeor not.

Next, the server 2 confirms whether the consignee has the intent of easyreceipt (steps S415 and S418). In a case where the server 2 has receiveda notification that the consignee has the intent of receipt (step S421),the server 2 calculates a route that allows the home delivery lockervehicle 3 to arrive in the vicinity of the home of the consignee at thetiming when the consignee returns home (step S424). Details of suchroute calculation are described later with reference to FIG. 19. Notethat, in a case of a user from which a request for easy receipt service(for example, fee-based service) is made and registered in advance,route calculation may be performed without confirming the intent of easyreceipt.

Then, the server 2 transmits a reroute instruction to the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 (step S427). The home delivery locker vehicle 3 makescontrol so as to travel on the altered route, in conformity with thereroute instruction.

Next, route calculation according to the present practical example isdescribed with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a flow chart showingoperation processing of route calculation of easy receipt serviceaccording to the present practical example.

As shown in FIG. 19, first, in a case where the consignee has moved aprescribed distance away from the home (step S433/Yes), routecalculation of easy receipt service ends. This is because it isenvisaged that the user is not on the way home. The case of having moveda prescribed distance may be, for example, a case of having moved morethan or equal to 4 km away from the home. Note that, in a case where theconsignee has come within the prescribed distance from the home again,operation processing of easy receipt service may be resumed.

Next, in a case where the consignee is within the prescribed distancefrom the home (step S433/No), the server 2 calculates the shortest routerunning from the current position of the consignee to the home (stepS436), and calculates the estimated time instant of arrival at which theconsignee will arrive at the home, on the basis of the distance of thecalculated shortest route and the current average moving speed of theconsignee (step S439).

Further, the server 2 calculates the shortest route running from thecurrent position of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 to the home ofthe consignee (step S442), and calculates the estimated time instant ofarrival at which the home delivery locker vehicle 3 will arrive at thehome of the consignee, on the basis of the distance of the calculatedshortest route and the current average moving speed of the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 (step S445).

Next, it is assessed whether the estimated time instant of arrival ofthe home delivery locker vehicle 3 is within one minute before theestimated time instant of arrival of the consignee or not (step S448).The reason why the condition that the arrival of the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 be within one minute before the arrival of theconsignee is employed is that it is intended to avoid a state where theconsignee waits for the home delivery locker vehicle 3 in front of thehome. Note that the time condition is not limited to this, and may be,for example, within 1 to 5 minutes before the arrival of the consignee.Further, as shown in step S412 of FIG. 18, in the present practicalexample, route calculation of easy receipt service is performed in acase where the consignee is present within a prescribed distance (forexample, within the range of 3 km) from the home. Such a distance may beset to a distance at which it is highly likely that the home deliverylocker vehicle 3 will be in time for the time of returning-home of theconsignee, from anywhere in the going-around region of the home deliverylocker vehicle 3, in view of the area of the going-around region, asappropriate. Therefore, in a case where the going-around region islarger, the distance is larger.

Next, the server 2 transmits a reroute instruction (the shortest routeto the home of the consignee) to the home delivery locker vehicle 3 sothat the home delivery locker vehicle 3 goes toward the home of theconsignee (step S451).

Next, the server 2 notifies the consignee of the estimated time instantof arrival of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 (step S454).

Next, in a case where the server 2 has checked that the home deliveryarticle has been received by the consignee (step S457/Yes), the server 2transmits a reroute instruction to the home delivery locker vehicle 3 sothat the home delivery locker vehicle 3 returns to the steady route(step S460). The receipt of the home delivery article by the consigneecan be checked by a receipt notification from the home delivery lockervehicle 3. The consignee can, on returning home, receive the homedelivery article from the home delivery locker vehicle 3 that hasarrived at the surroundings of the home. Further, in a case where ademand for cancellation is made by the consignee, the server 2 may causethe home delivery locker vehicle 3 to return to the state of steadygoing-around route travel.

Further, in a case where the consignee has moved the prescribed distanceaway from the home (step S463/Yes), the server 2 ends the processing ofeasy receipt service, and performs rerouting to the steady route (stepS460). This is because it is envisaged that the user is not on the wayhome. The case of having moved a prescribed distance may be, forexample, a case of having moved more than or equal to 4 km away from thehome. Note that, in a case where the consignee has come within theprescribed distance from the home again, operation processing of easyreceipt service may be resumed.

Hereinabove, route calculation in easy receipt service according to thethird practical example is specifically described. Note that, althoughthe example described above employs the condition of arrival at the homeof the consignee within one minute before the estimated time instant ofarrival of the consignee through the shortest route, the presentpractical example is not limited to this. For example, the server 2 maynot necessarily use the shortest route, and may calculate the travelroute of the home delivery locker vehicle 3 to the home of the consigneein such a manner that the home delivery locker vehicle 3 arrives severalminutes before the estimated time instant of arrival of the consignee.

Further, the server 2 may perform rerouting to a going-around route onwhich the home delivery locker vehicle 3 passes through the surroundingsof the home at the time point when the consignee has come within aprescribed distance (for example, within the range of 3 km) from thehome (an example of a sending destination) (or at the time point whenfurther it is confirmed that the consignee has the intent of easyreceipt).

Further, the server 2 may intermittently check the positions of the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 and the consignee. In a case where the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 is likely to be late for the estimated timeinstant of returning-home of the consignee, the server 2 may notify theconsignee terminal 4 of this situation; and, in a case wherecancellation is made by the consignee, the server 2 may performrerouting to the steady route or a going-around route passing throughthe surroundings of the home.

4. MODIFICATION EXAMPLES

Next, modification examples of the present embodiment are described.

In a case where, for example, a plurality of requests for easy receiptservice is accepted as a modification example of easy receipt serviceaccording to the third practical example described above, a drone (asmall-sized unmanned plane) may be dispatched from the home deliverylocker vehicle 3, and the drone may stand by in front of the home inagreement with the timing of returning-home of each consignee so as todeliver a package. Such drone delivery is not limited to the thirdpractical example, and delivery by a drone from the home delivery lockervehicle 3 may be requested as an optional service, for example. Notethat the unmanned transporter that can be dispatched from the homedelivery locker vehicle 3 is not limited to a flight type such as adrone, and may be a running type.

Further, although the third practical example described above describesthe receipt of a home delivery article in front of the home of theconsignee, the present embodiment is not limited to this and also a skisite, an event venue, an accommodation facility, etc., are possible, andthe sending destination of the home delivery article is not limited tothe home of the consignee. Further, in the first and second practicalexamples described above, similarly the sending destination of the homedelivery article is not limited to the home of the consignee either, anda going-around route may be calculated in accordance with whether theconsignee is present in a specified region of the sending destination ornot.

Further, although, in each practical example described above, theconsignee is notified of the going-around route of the home deliverylocker or an approach notification is sent to the consignee, thesenotifications are not indispensable.

Further, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 is not limited to use indelivery by home delivery agents, and a package from an individual to anindividual may be loaded and a package for which home delivery isrequested from an individual to a home delivery agent may be loaded.

Further, in a case of home delivery not particularly in a hurry, a homedelivery article can be delivered to the target region by causing homedelivery locker vehicles of regions to cooperate together. For example,if a package addressed to user E living in an E town is loaded into ahome delivery locker vehicle of a C town, the home delivery lockervehicle of the C town meets a home delivery locker vehicle of aneighboring D town on the way of the going-around route, and moves, tothe home delivery locker vehicle of the D town, the home delivery lockerin which the package addressed to user E is put, for example. Next, thehome delivery locker vehicle of the D town meets a home delivery lockervehicle of the neighboring E town on the way of the going-around routeof the D town, and moves, to the home delivery locker vehicle of the Etown, the home delivery locker in which the package addressed to user Eis put, for example (it is also possible to automatically replace thelocker with an empty locker of the home delivery locker vehicle of the Etown). In this way, the package addressed to user E can be successivelytransferred to the home delivery locker vehicle of the E town. Thereplacement of lockers may be performed by, for example, exchangingmoving bodies having a standardized size, such as drones or small-sizedcarts, between home delivery locker vehicles.

Further, since the home delivery locker vehicle 3 goes around in aregion, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 may be equipped with thefunctions of illumination, signage, and/or cameras, etc., so as to servealso for crime prevention of the region.

Further, in underpopulated areas or the like, the home delivery lockervehicle 3 may be used as part of movable convenience service. Forexample, the home delivery locker vehicle 3 may have also the functionsof a mailbox, an automatic teller machine (ATM), etc., as well asselling commodities.

5. CONCLUSIONS

As described above, in an information processing system according to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the number of redeliveries isreduced by using an automatic home delivery locker vehicle that goesaround in a region, and the convenience of delivery service can beimproved.

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure has/have beendescribed above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst thepresent technology is not limited to the above examples. A personskilled in the art may find various alterations and modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that theywill naturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, it is also possible to create a computer program forcausing hardware devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM enclosed in thehome delivery agent terminal 1, the server 2, the home delivery lockervehicle 3, or the consignee terminal 4 described above to exhibit thefunction of the home delivery agent terminal 1, the server 2, the homedelivery locker vehicle 3, or the consignee terminal 4. Further, also acomputer-readable storage medium in which the computer program is causedto be stored is provided.

Further, the effects described in this specification are merelyillustrative or exemplified effects, and are not limitative. That is,with or in the place of the above effects, the technology according tothe present disclosure may achieve other effects that are clear to thoseskilled in the art from the description of this specification.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)

A control system configured to manage running of an automatic drivinghome delivery locker going around in a specified region by automaticdriving,

the control system including:

a communication unit configured to receive notification showing that theautomatic driving home delivery locker has received a home deliveryarticle; and

a control unit configured to make control such that an inquiry is madeto a terminal device of a consignee of the home delivery article via thecommunication unit in accordance with reception of the notification soas to estimate a current position of the consignee, and when theconsignee is in the specified region, a new running path on which theautomatic driving home delivery locker travels a vicinity of the currentposition of the consignee or a sending destination of the home deliveryarticle is generated and is transmitted to the automatic driving homedelivery locker via the communication unit.

(2)

The control system according to (1),

in which the control unit makes control such that the new running pathis transmitted to the automatic driving home delivery locker and theconsignee via the communication unit.

(3)

The control system according to (1) or (2), in which the control unitmakes control such that

the current position of the consignee and a current position of theautomatic driving home delivery locker are intermittently received viathe communication unit, and

the consignee is notified of an approach of the automatic driving homedelivery locker when the automatic driving home delivery locker hasapproached the consignee.

(4)

The control system according to (1), in which, when a plurality of homedelivery articles is loaded in the automatic driving home deliverylocker,

the control unit makes control such that

inquiries are intermittently made to terminal devices of a plurality ofconsignees corresponding to the plurality of home delivery articles viathe communication unit, and current positions of the plurality ofconsignees are monitored, and

a new running path is generated in accordance with the current positionsof the plurality of consignees and is transmitted to the automaticdriving home delivery locker via the communication unit.

(5)

The control system according to (4), in which the control unit makescontrol such that

when the current position of one consignee among the plurality ofconsignees is in the specified region and the current position ofanother consignee is outside the specified region,

a new running path that allows travelling a vicinity of the currentposition of the one consignee or a sending destination of the homedelivery article is generated and is transmitted to the automaticdriving home delivery locker via the communication unit, and

if a fact that the other consignee has returned to the specified regionis sensed, a new running path that allows travelling a vicinity of thecurrent position of the other consignee or a sending destination of thehome delivery article is generated and is transmitted to the automaticdriving home delivery locker via the communication unit.

(6)

The control system according to (1), in which the control unit makescontrol such that

inquiries are intermittently made to the terminal device of theconsignee of the home delivery article via the communication unit, andthe current position of the consignee is monitored, and

a new running path on which the automatic driving home delivery lockertravels the vicinity of the sending destination of the home deliveryarticle at a time instant when the consignee almost arrives at thesending destination of the home delivery article is generated and istransmitted to the automatic driving home delivery locker via thecommunication unit.

(7)

The control system according to (6), in which the control unit makescontrol such that

when the consignee is on a way home and comes within a prescribeddistance from a dwelling place or within a prescribed time beforereturning home, intent of the consignee of the home delivery article toreceive the home delivery article is confirmed with the consignee viathe communication unit, and

in a case where the consignee has the intent of receipt,

a new running path on which the automatic driving home delivery lockertravels the vicinity of the sending destination of the home deliveryarticle at a time instant when the consignee almost arrives at thesending destination of the home delivery article is generated and istransmitted to the automatic driving home delivery locker via thecommunication unit.

(8)

The control system according to (6) or (7), in which the control unitmakes control such that

in a case where the consignee is a registered member,

a new running path on which the automatic driving home delivery lockertravels the vicinity of the sending destination of the home deliveryarticle at a time instant when the consignee arrives at the sendingdestination of the home delivery article is generated and is transmittedto the automatic driving home delivery locker via the communicationunit.

(9)

The control system according to any one of (1) to (8), in which thecontrol unit makes control such that

in accordance with a request from the consignee received via thecommunication unit,

a running path on which an unmanned transporter standing by in theautomatic driving home delivery locker runs to a vicinity of the currentposition of the consignee or a sending destination place of the homedelivery article is generated and is transmitted to the unmannedtransporter via the communication unit.

(10)

The control system according to any one of (1) to (9), in which theautomatic driving home delivery locker carries a purchasable commodity.

(11)

The control system according to any one of (1) to (10), in which thecontrol unit, in accordance with a request from a terminal device of ahome delivery agent,

makes control such that

a meeting point for the automatic driving home delivery locker and thehome delivery agent in the specified region is settled on the basis of acurrent position of the automatic driving home delivery locker and acurrent position of the home delivery agent,

information of the settled meeting point is transmitted to the terminaldevice of the home delivery agent via the communication unit, and

makes control such that a new running path leading to the settledmeeting point is generated and is transmitted to the automatic drivinghome delivery locker via the communication unit.

(12)

The control system according to any one of (1) to (11), in which thecontrol unit makes control such that

in a case where a request for stopping is received from the consignee inresponse to notification that the automatic driving home delivery lockerhas approached the consignee, a control signal of an instruction to stoptravel is transmitted to the automatic driving home delivery locker.

(13)

A control method that manages running of an automatic driving homedelivery locker going around in a specified region by automatic driving,

the control method including:

receiving, a processor via a communication unit, notification showingthat the automatic driving home delivery locker has received a homedelivery article, and

making control, by the processor, such that an inquiry is made to aterminal device of a consignee of the home delivery article via thecommunication unit in accordance with reception of the notification soas to estimate a current position of the consignee, and when theconsignee is in the specified region, a new running path on which theautomatic driving home delivery locker travels a vicinity of the currentposition of the consignee or a sending destination of the home deliveryarticle is generated and is transmitted to the automatic driving homedelivery locker via the communication unit.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 Home delivery agent terminal-   2 Server-   3 Home delivery locker vehicle-   4 Consignee terminal-   5 Home delivery agent vehicle-   6 a User A's home-   6 b user B's home-   10 Control unit-   11 Communication unit-   12 Input unit-   13 Position measurement unit-   14 Display unit-   15 Storage unit-   20 Control unit-   201 Running control unit-   202 Package management unit-   203 Position information management unit-   21 Communication unit-   22 Storage unit-   221 Package receipt list storage unit-   222 Position information storage unit-   223 User information storage unit-   30 Control unit-   301 Automatic driving control unit-   302 Locker management unit-   31 Communication unit-   32 Position measurement unit-   33 In-vehicle sensor-   34 Locker sensor-   35 Driving unit-   36 Storage unit-   361 Locker state storage unit-   40 Control unit-   41 Communication unit-   42 Input unit-   43 Position measurement unit-   44 Display unit-   45 Storage unit

1. A control system configured to manage running of an automatic drivinghome delivery locker going around in a specified region by automaticdriving, the control system comprising: a communication unit configuredto receive a notification showing that the automatic driving homedelivery locker has received a home delivery article; and a control unitconfigured to make control such that an inquiry is made to a terminaldevice of a consignee of the home delivery article via the communicationunit in accordance with reception of the notification so as to estimatea current position of the consignee, and when the consignee is in thespecified region, a new running path on which the automatic driving homedelivery locker travels a vicinity of the current position of theconsignee or a sending destination of the home delivery article isgenerated and is transmitted to the automatic driving home deliverylocker via the communication unit.
 2. The control system according toclaim 1, wherein the control unit makes control such that the newrunning path is transmitted to the automatic driving home deliverylocker and the consignee via the communication unit.
 3. The controlsystem according to claim 1, wherein the control unit makes control suchthat the current position of the consignee and a current position of theautomatic driving home delivery locker are intermittently received viathe communication unit, and the consignee is notified of an approach ofthe automatic driving home delivery locker when the automatic drivinghome delivery locker has approached the consignee.
 4. The control systemaccording to claim 1, wherein, when a plurality of home deliveryarticles is loaded in the automatic driving home delivery locker, thecontrol unit makes control such that inquiries are intermittently madeto terminal devices of a plurality of consignees corresponding to theplurality of home delivery articles via the communication unit, andcurrent positions of the plurality of consignees are monitored, and anew running path is generated in accordance with the current positionsof the plurality of consignees and is transmitted to the automaticdriving home delivery locker via the communication unit.
 5. The controlsystem according to claim 4, wherein the control unit makes control suchthat when the current position of one consignee among the plurality ofconsignees is in the specified region and the current position ofanother consignee is outside the specified region, a new running paththat allows travelling a vicinity of the current position of the oneconsignee or a sending destination of the home delivery article isgenerated and is transmitted to the automatic driving home deliverylocker via the communication unit, and if a fact that the otherconsignee has returned to the specified region is sensed, a new runningpath that allows travelling a vicinity of the current position of theother consignee or a sending destination of the home delivery article isgenerated and is transmitted to the automatic driving home deliverylocker via the communication unit.
 6. The control system according toclaim 1, wherein the control unit makes control such that inquiries areintermittently made to the terminal device of the consignee of the homedelivery article via the communication unit, and the current position ofthe consignee is monitored, and a new running path on which theautomatic driving home delivery locker travels the vicinity of thesending destination of the home delivery article at a time instant whenthe consignee almost arrives at the sending destination of the homedelivery article is generated and is transmitted to the automaticdriving home delivery locker via the communication unit.
 7. The controlsystem according to claim 6, wherein the control unit makes control suchthat when the consignee is on a way home and comes within a prescribeddistance from a dwelling place or within a prescribed time beforereturning home, intent of the consignee of the home delivery article toreceive the home delivery article is confirmed with the consignee viathe communication unit, and in a case where the consignee has the intentof receipt, a new running path on which the automatic driving homedelivery locker travels the vicinity of the sending destination of thehome delivery article at a time instant when the consignee almostarrives at the sending destination of the home delivery article isgenerated and is transmitted to the automatic driving home deliverylocker via the communication unit.
 8. The control system according toclaim 6, wherein the control unit makes control such that in a casewhere the consignee is a registered member, a new running path on whichthe automatic driving home delivery locker travels the vicinity of thesending destination of the home delivery article at a time instant whenthe consignee arrives at the sending destination of the home deliveryarticle is generated and is transmitted to the automatic driving homedelivery locker via the communication unit.
 9. The control systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the control unit makes control such thatin accordance with a request from the consignee received via thecommunication unit, a running path on which an unmanned transporterstanding by in the automatic driving home delivery locker runs to avicinity of the current position of the consignee or a sendingdestination place of the home delivery article is generated and istransmitted to the unmanned transporter via the communication unit. 10.The control system according to claim 1, wherein the automatic drivinghome delivery locker carries a purchasable commodity.
 11. The controlsystem according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, in accordancewith a request from a terminal device of a home delivery agent, makescontrol such that a meeting point for the automatic driving homedelivery locker and the home delivery agent in the specified region issettled on a basis of a current position of the automatic driving homedelivery locker and a current position of the home delivery agent,information of the settled meeting point is transmitted to the terminaldevice of the home delivery agent via the communication unit, and makescontrol such that a new running path leading to the settled meetingpoint is generated and is transmitted to the automatic driving homedelivery locker via the communication unit.
 12. The control systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the control unit makes control such thatin a case where a request for stopping is received from the consignee inresponse to notification that the automatic driving home delivery lockerhas approached the consignee, a control signal of an instruction to stoptravel is transmitted to the automatic driving home delivery locker. 13.A control method that manages running of an automatic driving homedelivery locker going around in a specified region by automatic driving,the control method comprising: receiving, by a processor viacommunication unit, notification showing that the automatic driving homedelivery locker has received a home delivery article, and makingcontrol, by the processor, such that an inquiry is made to a terminaldevice of a consignee of the home delivery article via the communicationunit in accordance with reception of the notification so as to estimatea current position of the consignee, and when the consignee is in thespecified region, a new running path on which the automatic driving homedelivery locker travels a vicinity of the current position of theconsignee or a sending destination of the home delivery article isgenerated and is transmitted to the automatic driving home deliverylocker via the communication unit.